Wrist orthoses (also known as splints, braces, or supports) are commonly used to support or restrict the motion of a weak or injured wrist. These orthoses generally function by stiffening the wrist joint. Therefore, choosing the proper orthosis (or improving orthoses) requires that we understand their stiffness properties. In this study, we present a method for measuring the stiffness of wrist ...

Wrist orthoses (also known as splints, braces, or supports) are commonly used to support or restrict the motion of a weak or injured wrist. These orthoses generally function by stiffening the wrist joint. Therefore, choosing the proper orthosis (or improving orthoses) requires that we understand their stiffness properties. In this study, we present a method for measuring the stiffness of wrist ...

BACKGROUND Musculotendinous stiffness provides an estimate of resistance to joint perturbation, thus contributing to joint stability. Females demonstrate lesser hamstring stiffness than males, potentially contributing to the sex discrepancy in anterior cruciate ligament injury risk. However, it is unclear if the sex difference in hamstring stiffness is due to differences in muscle size or to in...

Sensory input plays an important role to human posture control system to initiate strategy in order to counterpart any unbalance condition and thus, prevent fall. In previous study, joint stiffness was observed able to describe certain issues regarding to movement performance. But, correlation between balance ability and joint stiffness is still remains unknown. In this study, joint stiffening ...

BACKGROUND The development of osteoarthritis (OA) in the hand results in increased joint stiffness, which in turn affects the grip strength. The goal of the present study is to theoretically analyze the muscle forces in a thumb in response to the increased joint stiffness. METHODS The thumb was modeled as a linkage system consisting of a trapezium, a metacarpal bone, a proximal and a distal p...

Robots are now requested to perform more and more complex tasks such as rescue activities in quite practical environments such as rough terrains. It is necessary for robots to have versatile joints that can flexibly adapt to such task environments and realize complex motions. It is desired to develop small and low cost actuators which can flexibly adapt to task environment. Flexibility in robot...

angular deformities of the lower limbs are common during childhood. in most cases this represents a variation in the normal growth pattern and is an entirely benign condition. presence of symmetrical deformities and absence of symptoms, joint stiffness, systemic disorders or syndromes indicates a benign condition with excellent long-term outcome. in contrast, deformities which are asymmetrical ...

In order to grasp and manipulate an object controllably and dexterously with a multifingered hand of robot, the sensing of fingertip force is required. To these operation, for making the controlability higher and making force sensor be proof against unexpected collisions or weights, not only the sensor’s sensibility but also its stiffness are desired as high as possible. For sensing a force act...

TCERA (Tunable Compliance Energy Return Actuator) is a robotic actuator inspired by properties and behavior of the human knee joint, in that it utilizes antagonistic contraction to vary torsional stiffness and joint angle. The actuator is an electrically activated artificial muscle which uses two constant air-mass pneumatic springs configured antagonistically about the knee joint. The positions...

Isolated subtalar joint (STJ) fusions are performed routinely by many foot and ankle surgeons for various hindfoot pathologies, but were historically avoided due to their potential complications on the adjacent joints (1). Since the inception of this isolated arthrodesis, multiple studies have been undertaken to demonstrate the effects on the surrounding joints. Jouveniaux et al concluded with ...